Trevena, Pontrello & Associates offers legal representation in the areas of criminal defense, criminal appeals, and some civil and family law matters. As a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer with over 30 years of litigation and practice experience, John Trevena offers sophisticated and ingenious strategies for what can often be complex and difficult circumstances. John H. Trevena is the owner and managing attorney of his firm. His keen sense of strategy, accomplished skills as a trial lawyer and straightforward approach bring due process for his clients in the criminal justice and civil court systems. Attorney Trevena is listed in Florida Super Lawyers magazine in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Super Lawyers are peer selected and considered among the top 5% of attorneys in their areas of practice. Attorney Trevena is also a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is comprised of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Membership is limited by invitation only and selection is based upon evaluations of effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, and superior ethical reputation. Attorney Trevena is ranked ranked Superb (10 out of 10) by Avvo™, an independent company that ranks attorneys based on their years in practice, disciplinary history, professional achievements, and industry recognition. Trevena's firm was also recently named the Criminal Law Firm of the Year - Florida, by the publication Corporate America - The Legal Elite 2015. Attorney Trevena is a member of The American Trial Lawyers Association (The Association) and was selected for inclusion in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers for the State of Florida (2007-2015). Membership into The American Trial Lawyers Association is by invitation and is extended only to those attorneys who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results, leadership, influence, reputation, stature, and profile in the trial attorney community, as viewed by The Association, other trial lawyers, members of the bench, and the public at large. Attorney Trevena was also elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation in 2010. The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation is an honorary organization representing one-third of one percent of licensed attorneys. Fellows are lawyers, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars who have been elected by their peers to become members of The Fellows because of their outstanding achievements in the legal profession. Attorney Trevena was admitted to the Florida Bar and US District Court, Middle District of Florida in 1986. He received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University in 1985, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982 from the University of South Florida. His current memberships include: Clearwater, St. Petersburg and American (Member, Criminal Law Section) Bar Associations The Florida Bar; the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) Pinellas County Trial Lawyers Association (President, 2005) Pinellas County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Life Member) American Judicature Society. John is a Lifetime Member of Phi Delta Phi, and was on the editorial board for the Florida Bar Journal and Florida Bar News from 1990-1993. He served as Assistant State Attorney from 1985-1987. Attorney Trevena has been a Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer (Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education) since August 1, 1992.

Attorney Bridgette Michelle Lester is compassionate, competent and centered around your legal needs. Whether it be a criminal matter, personal injury or small business related, Attorney Lester is here to guide you throughout the process while getting it the best results for you. She is the immediate past President of the Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association, which is the largest predominantly African American bar Association in the county and one of the fastest growing. She served 2 terms as President and currently sits on the Board. About Attorney Bridgette Michelle: Bridgette Michelle was raised in a military home where she she saw the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform each day. Through her father's service to our great country she was afforded the opportunity to travel many parts of the world, and led to her graduating in Italy. Prior to becoming an Attorney, she set her sights on education. She became an Educator with Pinellas County Schools in the fall of 2008. She taught the award winning Broadcast Journalism program at Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle School and served as a mentor for the Girlfriends program and started the schools first ever debate team. While being an Educator she also attended the part-time program at Stetson University College of Law. She was recognized in "Who's Who in American Law Schools and Universities," earned a scholarship from the Fred G.Minnis Sr. Bar Association and was honored as a Daniel Burton scholar. Additionally, she served as a Law clerk for Tamara Felton, P.A. and as a judicial intern for the Sixth Judicial Circuit before she became an Assistant Public Defender. While working in that capacity she earned the coveted, "We Are the Hope," award and "Best Advocate," at the state wide training session. Attorney Bridgette Michelle further honed her skills by working for a prominent law firm in the Tampa Bay Area. There, she was able to work on several high profile cases, many of which made national news. Most recently she's been recognized by the National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, SuperLawyers Rising Star 2017, Top Rated Attorney by Avvo for a perfect 10 rating while also receiving the Clients Choice Award. She still finds time to be actively give back through her volunteer effortd with Pinellas county schools, church and her community.

The Law Office of Jessenia Rosales serves clients throughout Florida in the practice of criminal defense and family law. Jessenia's specific areas of experience include divorce, child custody and support, injunctions, domestic violence, DUI, theft crimes, drug crimes, assault, and other violent crimes. She is also fluent in English and Spanish. Jessenia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology with a Minor in Psychology from the University of South Florida. She then earned her law degree at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Tampa, Florida, graduating with honors. Jessenia later re-enrolled at Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School to earn a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property. While earning her degrees, Jessenia interned at the Public Defender's office in Hillsborough County after working as a paralegal at a private law practice in St. Petersburg, Florida. Jessenia has been practicing law in Florida since 2017. She started her own firm, the Law Office of Jessenia Rosales, in 2018 to handle criminal and family law cases. Shortly after, Jessenia received the Rising Professional Award from the Federal Bar Association Younger Lawyers Division. Jessenia is also on the Florida Justice Center's Legal All-Star Team. Jessenia is an active member of the Federal Bar Association, American Bar Association, Florida State Bar Association and Clearwater Bar Association. Her volunteer service includes having served as chairperson of the Florida Justice Center, where she helped FLJC become Florida’s first criminal legal aid organization and volunteered at the expungement clinic. Jessenia has also been a board member of the Pinellas Latin Bar Association and served as a chairperson of the Clearwater Bar Association's Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Jessenia currently lives in the Tampa Bay area with her two daughters. They enjoy spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Prior to forming the law office of Westchase Law, P.A. and Westchase Title, LLC in Tampa, Florida, C. Todd Marks attended the George Mason School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Marks graded on to the Law Review and served as the Symposium Editor. Mr. Marks practiced law in Virginia and Washington, D.C. Mr. Marks began his legal career in Washington, DC and McLean, Virginia with the law firm of Shaw Pittman, LLP where he practiced in the emerging companies and commercial real estate practice groups. In the meantime, Todd remained active in local and national political campaigns. Todd eventually worked for law firms Connolly, Bove, Lodge & Hutz in the commercial litigation and bankruptcy practice groups where he developed a general practice which included estate planning and other business law matters. His experience includes real estate closings and disputes, commercial leases, commercial litigation, creditors' rights in bankruptcy, corporate formation and transactions, estate planning, employment law, and family law. Mr. Marks is the proud father of two boys and a girl. Mr. Marks serves on the Board of the Westchase Charitable Foundation and has served on the Board of Church at the Bay.

Robert “Rob” Eckard is the founding partner in this litigation firm. He established the firm in 2000 after leaving the State Attorney’s Office, 6th Judicial Circuit, Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida, where he prosecuted both felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. Rob is Board Certified in Business Litigation by the Florida Bar (less than 300 lawyers in the State of Florida are Board Certified in Business Litigation), specializes in white-collar criminal investigations and defense, all areas of commercial/business litigation, professional licensing, and administrative proceedings for physicians, health-care professionals, attorneys, accountants, securities dealer/brokers, insurance agents etc. Rob’s background, training, and experience in both business litigation, government investigations, and criminal defense make him uniquely qualified to handle business crimes.

Daniel Hartpence was born and raised in Fayetteville, Georgia. As the son of a chiropractor and teacher, he was instilled with the drive and motivation necessary to succeed and excel. He went to Starr's Mill High School, then on to Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida. At Eckerd, Daniel played baseball and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and a minor in Classic History.

Joseph not only brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the Lee Law Group’s Litigation Team, but also adds a level of personal passion unequalled in his practice areas. This commitment stems from personal experience with medical negligence when his daughter, Emmy, was born in 2005, with severe and permanent special-needs stemming from human error. Joseph understands – firsthand – the impact of negligence, and the force of law that it takes to effect real, positive change in a person’s life.

Ydelmis Cutino is admitted to the Florida Bar (2024). She matriculated at the W.M.U. Cooley Law School (J.D., 2021), and the University of South Florida (B.A., Business Science Management, 2018) and is certified as a Florida Notary Signing Agent, Remote Online Notary Agent, and Microsoft Office Specialist. Ydelmis joined the firm in 2021, serving Gilbert Garcia Group as a law clerk and Sapphire Title & Escrow Company as a title processor. With a strong commitment to the field, Ydelmis actively contributes to the legal and real estate communities through her writing, regularly crafting insightful articles and blogs that educate, inform, and engage readers. Ydelmis credits her interest in real property law for leading to her involvement in real estate transactions, including that of title and escrow practices. Ydelmis is bilingual in Spanish and English. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is of Cuban descent. Ydelmis notes, “Faith, determination, and persistence are the three keys to my life.”

With nearly a decade of experience in high-stakes litigation and public service, Mary E. Castillo brings a powerful blend of trial acumen, leadership, and strategic legal insight to Gilbert Garcia Group, P.A. As a former Assistant State Attorney for Hillsborough County, she has prosecuted some of the most serious felony offenses—including homicides, gang-related violence, and sex crimes—developing a reputation for integrity, meticulous preparation, and courtroom excellence. During her tenure at the State Attorney’s Office, Mary litigated more than 35 felony jury trials to verdict and led a felony division as Deputy Chief, supervising a team of attorneys and support staff while managing a demanding felony caseload. She has also handled juvenile, misdemeanor and traffic, domestic violence and violation of probation (VOP) dockets, making her an exceptionally well-rounded advocate with deep knowledge of Florida’s criminal justice system from intake to adjudication. A graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Mary served as Executive Articles Editor for the Notre Dame Journal of Legislation and published a scholarly note on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law. She earned the Dean’s Award for Professional Responsibility and was active in leadership roles with the Hispanic Law Students Association and the Future Prosecuting Attorney’s Council. She also studied abroad at Notre Dame’s prestigious London Law Centre. In addition to her legal expertise, Mary is pursuing an MBA from the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, with a concentration in Compliance, Risk, and Anti-Money Laundering—bringing valuable and practical business knowledge to her legal practice. Mary is passionate about justice, client advocacy, and delivering exceptional legal outcomes, making her an invaluable asset to our firm and the clients we serve. We are thrilled to have her join Gilbert Garcia Group as a Litigation Attorney and Commercial Collections Supervisor.”

Charles Lambert is a practicing attorney in the state of Florida who handles criminal defense matters.